The Little Engine That Could Saves Christmas (The Little Engine That Could)

K-Gr 2--Based on the The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper, illustrated by George and Doris Hauman, this is a sweet story of the Little Engine overcoming challenges when Santa gets sick on Christmas Eve. On a snowy night before Christmas, Santa's elf finds Little Engine to announce that Santa has come down with a bad case of Frosty Frittens, which is something like a cold, but with blue spots, and he needs her to deliver the gifts to the children. Through a series of gentle questions posed by the animal friends riding with her--about finding the right houses, for example, and picking the correct toys--Little Engine always replies enthusiastically, "We think we can!" Howarth's digitally rendered illustrations nostalgically summon mid-20th-century picture books. As in the original story, perseverance and belief in oneself is the overriding message. VERDICT A story that young readers will enjoy, this will be a welcome addition to holiday collections.--Melissa King

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